 |
Copyright Notice: Please obtain permission from the author before duplicating, re-publishing or adapting content of a trip report |
 |
Be a responsible traveler! Watch this video before you hit the road! Download Video: MP4|3gp |
 |
Do you like to contribute a Trip Report? learn how to or download template and start straight away! |
| Year and Month | September 2008 |
| Number of Days | One Day Trip |
| Crew | 4 |
| Accommodation | If required to stay over night Madu Ganga Villa is a good choice |
| Transport | Car |
| Activities | Boat Ride / Photography / Nature |
| Weather | Excellent |
| Route | Colombo->Balapitiya ( 80Km from Colombo on A2 – Galle Road) |
| Tips, Notes and Special remarks |
|
| Author | Dinesh Deckker |
| Related Resources | If you have any comments suggestions feel free to contact Dinesh on 0716 – 818740 or dineshdsd@gmail.com |
We started the journey from Colombo around 8AM and the crew was four. We used a Suzuki Swift as our transportation.
The drive to Balapitiya was quite effortless and the Galle road was in pretty good shape. Although it is good be sure to stay in the speed limit. Because occasionally you find traffic cops waiting for you to speed!
 On our way stopped to get blessings from “Kaluthra Temple” |
 Interior of Kaluthara Temple |
We arrived at Balapitiya around 11AM and got quotations from many places and lowest quotation we got from “ Jayantha Boat Service” . It was Rs2000 for the full boat ride and their contact numbers are 091-2257638 / 077-9823999 and ask for Mr:Jayantha De Silva
 The Crew Just Before the Boat Safari |
 Few of the 64 islands in Madu Ganga |
Islands cover 915Ha altogether and there are 64 islands of various sizes. The average depth is 3 meters.
We couldn’t believe our eyes it was so beautiful and a rewarding experience. The largest island is known as “Ma Doowa” which is the largest inhabited island within the country and about 300 families live there. The smallest is called “Satha Paha Doowa”. According to folklore this islet had been purchased for five cents but some say the name has derived due to its shape.
 Satha Paha Doowa – The smallest Island in Madu Ganga |
 Bridge connecting “Ma Duwa” to Balapitiya |
We stopped near the Bridge connecting “Ma Duwa” to Balapitiya and it is wide enough to travel in a 3 wheeler. But it is a great creation and it is the longest bridge I have seen in Sri Lanka.
Madu Ganga has high ecological, biological and aesthetic significance, being home to 303 species of plants belonging to 95 families and to 248 species of vertebrate animals. It might be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka.
 Entering Mangrove Forest |
 Nature as its best - inside mangrove forest |
It is a different world there inside mangrove forest
We also visited the The Kothduwa temple, or Koth Duwa Raja Maha Viharaya located on Kothduwa Island on the Maduganga River. It is a unique experience and monks use boats for transportation. As we heard The Buddhist Amarapura Nikaya sect had its first upasampada (higher ordination ceremony) on a fleet of boats anchored upon it in 1803.
 Koth Duwa Temple |
 Steps In to the Water |
Wow… an Incredible Place…. Isn’t it?
On Our journey we were able to see some traditional fisherman and traditional Fishing Kraals (ja-kotu) set up to trap lagoon prawns.
“ Ambu Daru Raka Ganna Apata Malu Laba Denna Deviyane Apa Rakaganna”
Also we were fortunate to witness a demonstration of peeling cinnamon and producing cinnamon oil. You will be able to buy cinnamon related products but it is damn expensive. Ask the boatman if you like to see a demonstration and he will take you to the island.
 The Art of peeling Cinnamon |
 I am the King of the World… |
 Taking a Boat Trip.. |
 Madu Ganga Meets the Ocean |
Thank you very much for reading my Trip Report. I hope it will help planning your journey.